LOWER LAKE >> Familiarity breeds contempt. In the case of Lower Lake High School’s varsity baseball team, it also breeds losing.
After a 12-1 thumping on Tuesday afternoon by Middletown on Lower Lake’s own diamond, the Trojans stand at just 2-28 in their last 30 North Central League I games spanning two-plus seasons.
Middletown was only too happy to add yet another defeat to Lower Lake’s ledger, improving to 1-1 in league play in the process and 3-6 overall while Lower Lake slipped to 0-2 and 5-3.
Lower Lake held the lead briefly in the rout, pushing across an unearned run in the top of the second for a 1-0 lead. It came courtesy of a walk to Jordan McGrath and an overthrow by Mustang infielder Travis Williams, who came on to pitch in the third inning and ended up the winner.
The lead was destined for a short life. The Mustangs were up 3-1 after a three-run fourth, which included a two-run blast to deepest left field by Chris Davis. After that the Mustangs sent 10 batters to the plate during a six-run fourth to go up 9-1.
Middletown coach Brad Holt was in a happy frame of mind as he left the field.
“They did their thing and we battled back,” said Holt. “ I am happy. I feel a little better that this win came when we needed it. It could turn our season around right now.”
The game was supposed to be the debut of a transfer pitcher, Sam Pyzer, but he instead spent the day at first base for Middletown and went 2-for-5 with a triple and a RBI.
In all, the Mustangs had 15 hits, including Davis’ blast off losing pitcher Hoke Wickard to spark the fourth-inning rally. Davis batted in three runs on the day while going 2-for-5.
“That home run turned it all around for us,” Holt said.
Brett Pike worked the first two innings on the mound for Middletown before giving way to Williams, who went the next five. He allowed Lower Lake’s only three hits, struck out eight and walked two.
Reed Diener doubled for the Trojans. Ryan Hallsted and Isaiah Klein had Lower Lake’s only other hits.
Middletown hosts Clear Lake (1-1, 2-9) on Thursday at 4 p.m. while Lower Lake is home Friday against St. Helena at 4 p.m.
